United Technologies Corp.’s research arm says it expect to get about $10 million over the next five years as part of the federal government’s ambitious effort to spark commercial development of energy-saving technologies for buildings.
The United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Energy Innovation Hub” network for research and development of technologies to improve energy efficiency in existing and new buildings.
Buildings account for nearly 40 percent of U.S. energy consumption and carbon emissions, and the Energy Innovation Hub will focus on research and development of highly efficient building components, systems and models aimed at reducing energy use, minimizing net greenhouse gas emissions, and catalyzing an industry-wide shift to new technologies.
The energy department is putting up $122 million to fund for three Energy Innovation Hub, including one at the Naval Yard in Philadelphia, in which UTRC will participate.
“This is a strong endorsement of the role of United Technologies as a leader in sustainability and energy efficiency, and we expect our technical collaborations will enable new products and solutions and fundamentally change the current energy consumption profile of existing and new buildings,” said Dr. J. Michael McQuade, UTC senior vice president for science and technology.
In its Aug. 24 announcement, the Department of Energy declared it will fund the Energy Innovation Hub at up to $22 million this fiscal year, and will subsequently fund the hub at an estimated $25 million per year for the next four years, subject to Congressional appropriations. If the program is fully funded, UTRC anticipates its total share will be about $10 million over five years.
The Energy Innovation Hub will be coordinated by Pennsylvania State University and located at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Clean Energy campus, which will function as a living laboratory for developing, integrating and testing energy efficient building systems. Â
UTC’s product line covers a number found in commercial buildings, including Carrier heating and air conditioning, Otis elevators and escalators, UTC Fire & Security systems and UTC Power fuel cells.
